Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $55.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $55.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,387 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,241 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $55.48, notably outpacing the national average of $49.76. This favorable comparison is particularly advantageous for civil engineers seeking part-time roles, as working just three days a week can yield a substantial income in the local market. Typical environments range from busy consulting firm offices equipped with advanced CAD and Revit systems, to field offices on construction sites and governmental DOT facilities. Those at the entry-level position can start around $35.52 per hour, while top earners can command upwards of $81.13, reflecting the range of experience and specialization within the profession. The figures presented here draw from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring a reliable snapshot of the evolving landscape for civil engineering in Baton Rouge.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.52 | $284.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.54 | $324.31 |
| Median (P50) | $55.48 | $443.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.49 | $523.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.13 | $649.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $55.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.48/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $115,402 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,578. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,219.27 | $9,617 | $115,402 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,331.56 | $5,770 | $69,241 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $887.71 | $3,847 | $46,161 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Baton Rouge) | $55.48 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $115,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.49% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 13.40% above the Louisiana state average of $101,752.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.48/hr = $69,241/year (purchasing power: $76,274).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,402/year (purchasing power: $127,123).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Baton Rouge grew 21.3% from $44.58/hr (2019) to $54.06/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Baton Rouge
Working part-time, a civil engineer in Baton Rouge earns roughly 24 hours a week, translating to an annual income considerably lower than that of their full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time engineer could take home around $43,536 annually, compared to the full-time's $115,387. Additionally, per diem civil engineer pay in Baton Rouge can vary widely; independent contractors or those with specialized licenses can bill between $100 to $180 per hour, while seasoned experts serving as consultants might charge even higher rates, reaching up to $500 for specific forensic assessments. Job type and employer influence pay rates as well—engineering consulting firms, major construction companies, and government agencies each present their unique compensation structures. Many choose the stability of lower hourly wages when benefits are included, while others seek higher pay for the freedom of freelance work. Negotiating effectively in Baton Rouge's market requires understanding the nuances of each employer and the need for professional credentials like the PE license, enhancing one's value within the sector.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Baton Rouge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov